Repatriation Officer

The Repatriation Officer is a focal point for voluntary repatriation and related issues in a country office or sub-office, and reports to the Senior Repatriation Officer, Assistant or Deputy Representative or, as appropriate, Head of Office or the Representative. The incumbent has direct supervisory responsibility for repatriation staff, which may include staff within the functional groups of repatriation and reintegration. S/he works closely with protection, programme and field staff and ensures operational standards and practices in repatriation in the area of responsibility.
The Repatriation Officer is relied upon to ensure the advancement of repatriation activities. The Repatriation Officer should ensure that the country operation has an effective voluntary repatriation programme, in compliance with requisite standard operating procedures and in line with regional and comprehensive solutions strategies. S/he should contribute to ensuring that all repatriation movements respect the principle of voluntariness and occur in safety and dignity, with the full participation and support of persons and communities of concern.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties

• Implement activities in accordance with the voluntary repatriation strategy, with a view to ensuring that the return is voluntary and takes place in safety and dignity.
• Liaise with other UNHCR country offices and other key partners in the region to ensure appropriate cross-border cooperation and a harmonized voluntary repatriation process.
• Monitor the implementation of the voluntary return operation through consultations, regular field visits and monitoring tools, suggesting amendments to the plan as necessary.
• Gather and analyse data related to return movements and conditions in areas of return for planning, evidence-based advocacy and protection interventions.
• Ensure that specific needs of vulnerable categories of returnees are duly addressed during the return movement.
• Monitor and advise implementing partners on activities related to return.
• Actively participate in inter-agency coordination processes and mobilize partners¿ political and financial support, to ensure complementary interventions to voluntary repatriation/return programmes.
• Supervise staff and exercise effective managerial oversight, guidance and support.
• Mainstream AGD in all areas of work and ensure the full participation of returning refugees in matters relating to their own protection
• Comply with UNHCR¿s policy priorities, such as those related to persons with particular vulnerabilities.
• Implement initiatives that build the protection capacity of the local governments, partners and civil society as well as refugees in asserting their rights in situations of return.
• Implement an effective system to assess conditions of return
• Assess needs of persons of concern; plan and secure adequate human and financial resources for voluntary repatriation operations through inclusion into the country operation plan.
• Identify, monitor and advise implementing partners on on-going activities related to return.
• Participate in the design and implementation of the voluntary repatriation strategy.
• Draft and regularly update Voluntary repatriation related SOPs, in close consultation with UNHCR staff and partners, including refugee representatives.
• Authorize expenditure on projects and individual payments for voluntary returns.
• Represent UNHCR with relevant external partners in-country and across the border, as applicable
• Initiate interventions with relevant counterparts across the borders to address incidents at all stages of voluntary repatriation and to ensure safe and dignified movements.
• Perform other related duties as required.
  Minimum Qualifications
  Education & Professional Work Experience
  Years of Experience / Degree Level
  For P3/NOC – 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
  Field(s) of Education
  Law, International Law, Social Sciences,
  or other relevant field.
  (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)
  Certificates and/or Licenses
  Protection Learning Programme
  Management Learning Programme
  Relevant Job Experience
  Essential
  6 years relevant previous work experience.
  Desirable
  Work experience in large returnee operations is an asset. Diverse field experience desirable.
  Ability to understand and implement UNHCR¿s policy and global strategic priorities, including as related to AGDM, IDPs, Statelessness, and HIV/AIDS, in the area of responsibility where applicable at appropriate level.
  Functional Skills
  PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
  IT-Computer Literacy
  DM-Data Management
  PR-Assessment of IDPs Status, Rights, Obligation
  UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
  PR-Principles and procedures, operational arrangements, assistance for returnees
  PR-Statelessness- Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance
  MD-HIV/AIDS situation management
  (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
  Language Requirements
  For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
  For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
  For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
  All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
  As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
  This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Position Competencies

C001L3 – Accountability Level 3
C002L3 – Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 – Communication Level 3
C004L3 – Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 – Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 – Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 – Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M006L3 – Managing Resources Level 3
M003L3 – Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M002L3 – Managing Performance Level 3
X001L3 – Analytical Thinking Level 3
X004L3 – Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Level 3
X005L3 – Planning and Organizing Level 3